Uneasy Link For Bush - Iraq policy tied to U.S. economy

[True_Blue]

Akron, Ohio - Laura Paas voted for President George W. Bush, supported the war in Iraq and, with a stint in the Army behind her, is a big booster of the military.

A mother of one, she is opposed to the United States footing the bill for rebuilding Iraq without the help of a broad international coalition. Her concern is heightened by the ailing economy at home.

"Our kids are in schools that are falling down around them. We lose our cars in potholes every day. Our own infrastructure is in need of repair. I don't think we should devote all of our financial resources to building someone else's infrastructure when ours is in dire need of the same help," she said.

Paas, 36, is a daily witness to the financial struggles of local residents as a repossession agent at First Merit, an Akron bank. While the economy has shown signs of recovery nationally, she is swamped with those unable to shoulder automobile, home and credit card payments. "I'll have definite second thoughts about voting for him again," she said of Bush.

more...
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-uscost213471929sep28,0,2998683.story?coll=ny-nationalnews-headlines

[diplomats]

1. I'm glad people are waking up

but I wish more of them hadn't voted for him in the first place or we wouldn't be in this mess.

[ninkasi]

2. She's only having second thoughts?

Seems like he's done more than enough to convince anybody that he's damaging this country, and needs to voted out. I voted for Gore, have always voted Democratic, but sheesh, how much more is it going to take for people like her to wake up?

[are_we_united_yet]

4. I was thinking the same thing! You beat me to it. nt

[UpInArms]

5. from what I see of the public

and this is purely my own small view (I only sporadically have to get and see them in great numbers) - there was a quantum shift on a before the administration admitted (although belatedly) that there truly was no link between Saddam and 9/11 --

there was a level of denial and vehement support until that time -- now what I saw yesterday made me think that the air has all rushed from their balloons and they have suddenly hit the earth -- they are stunned and angry -- we need to be certain that they focus that anger appropriately at the objects that have caused it and not at those of us that have known about the lies all along.

[UpInArms]

3. great post -

this has some really good statistical information -

the * junta by numbers - they are a dreadful administration and have completely destroyed the fabric of our country.

SOARING DEFICIT

More than three-quarters of Americans surveyed recently said they believe the skyrocketing federal deficit represents a crisis or major economic problem. Simply put, a deficit is the amount by which government spending exceeds income over a particular period of time.

2004 $535 billion (projected)

2003 $455 billion (projected)

2002 $158 billion

2001 $127-million surplus

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

The monthly index of consumer confidence reflects Americans' feelings on the health of the U.S. economy. It is important because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of all U.S. economic activity. A 1985 average of 100 is used as a benchmark figure.

August 2003 81.3%

January 2003 78.8**

January 2001 115.7*

* highest index during Bush administration

** lowest index during Bush administration

SOURCES: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis, Conference Board Consumer Research Center

[Malva Zebrina]

6. why did she vote for him?

If these are the things she was concerned about, why is it that she could not see the bounty that Clinton brought in his eight years--and why did she not look at Bush's record in Texas if these are the things she was concerned about? I am pleased that she will not vote for him again, but surely, people do need something else besides an aversion to adultry in the white house when they elect a president- -he has killed thousands, deliberately skewing and even lying about the reasons to do so--economies will recover--dead people he has murdered will not be resurrected--although it is my fervant wish that they visit Bush nightly in his worst nightmares.

[leftchick]

7. could someone please tell me just how....

"the economy has shown signs of recovery nationally"?? Really, I want to know how they can keep saying this when we are hemoraging jobs and poverty has risen two years straight. I mean WTF are they talking about?

[area51]

11. recover?

leftchick said:

"could someone please tell me just how.... 'the economy has shown signs of recovery nationally'?? Really, I want to know how they can keep saying this when we are hemoraging jobs and poverty has risen two years straight. I mean WTF are they talking about?"

That's just it; there hasn't been an economic recovery. As far as I've heard, the press is basing lies about a "recovery" on a factor like the rise in GDP, which to my knowledge, is mostly due to war spending, not to a recovering economy. The rightwing-biased press seems to love George W. Hoover, and doesn't want to talk about the economy being in the toilet. I can't wait to vote that mofo out of office so the economy will have a chance to recover & I'll have a chance to get a job.

[leesa]

8. Then maybe we shouldn't have blown Iraq up dumb shit!

Of course, THAT part was fun...glorious!! We will owe Iraq reparations for many decades.

[Mandate My Ass]

9. that's right!!

Bombing brown people for no reason is just fine by her. Her car in the shop is really pissing her off though. What a brainless, self-absorbed putz.

[Cocoa]

10. remember this talking point from before the war?

Remember them saying that the economy was being held back by the uncertainty about whether we were going to attack, and that after we attacked, that restraint would be lifted and things would take off?

Notice how now, after we've attacked, things are still, shall we say, uncertain in Iraq?